Endodontic instrument for performing root canal therapy

Abstract

An endodontic instrument adapted for use in performing root canal therapy. The instrument includes a holder with a grip sized to be gripped by a hand of a user. An arm extends from the grip and has a length sufficient to permit a free end portion to reach into a patient's mouth while the grip remains outside the mouth. An elongate rod with a working portion having cutting portions thereon extends along the length of the arm of the holder such that a proximal end of the rod is adjacent the grip of the holder and the distal end of the rod with the working portion thereon extends from the free end portion of the arm, such that the working portion may be used to treat a root canal in a patient's mouth by a dentist manipulating the holder outside the mouth of the patient.

1. An endodontic instrument adapted for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth, and comprising:
 a holder including a grip which is dimensioned to be gripped by a hand of a dentist, and an elongate arm which extends from the grip to a free end portion remote from the grip, with the arm having a length to permit the free end portion to reach into a posterior portion of a mouth of a patient while the grip remains outside the mouth, 
 an elongate rod having a proximal end and an opposite pilot end and defining a working length substantially adjacent said pilot end, with at least one cutting surface on the working length, said rod being mounted to extend along at least a portion of the length of the arm of the holder so that the proximal end of the rod is adjacent the grip of the holder and a pilot end portion extends from an aperture in the free end portion of the arm of the holder, 
 whereby the dentist can position the instrument so that the free end portion of the holder and the pilot end portion of the rod are positioned within a patient's mouth, with the grip and the proximal end of the rod located outside the mouth, and so that the pilot end of the rod can be advanced from outside a root canal substantially to an apex of the root canal by the dentist manipulating a first portion of the holder or the proximal end of the rod at a location outside the mouth of the patient without substantial movement of the grip. 
 
     
     
       2. The endodontic instrument as defined in  claim 1  further comprising a camera attached to the holder so as to permit viewing of the pilot end of the shank displayed on an external video screen. 
     
     
       3. The endodontic instrument as defined in  claim 1  wherein the rod is mounted to the arm of the holder so as be free to be axially reciprocated relative to the arm and rotated about its axis. 
     
     
       4. The endodontic instrument as defined in  claim 3  further comprising a knob mounted to the proximal end of the rod to facilitate the axial reciprocation and rotation of the rod by the dentist. 
     
     
       5. The endodontic instrument as defined in  claim 1  wherein the rod is slidably and rotationally disposed within a tubular sleeve mounted to the arm of the holder. 
     
     
       6. The endodontic instrument as defined in  claim 1  wherein the rod comprises at least one helical cutting edge extending along the working length. 
     
     
       7. The endodontic instrument as defined in  claim 1  wherein the rod is integral from its proximal end to the pilot end. 
     
     
       8. The endodontic instrument as defined in  claim 1  wherein the rod comprises multiple sections such that a section including the working length may be easily removed and replaced. 
     
     
       9. The endodontic instrument as defined in  claim 1  wherein the rod is mounted to the arm of the holder. 
     
     
       10. An endodontic instrument adapted for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth, and comprising:
 a holder including a grip which is dimensioned to be gripped by a hand of a dentist, and an elongate arm which extends from a proximal end adjacent the grip to a distal end remote from the grip, with the arm having a length to permit the distal end of the arm to reach into a mouth of a patient while the grip remains outside the mouth, 
 an elongate rod having a proximal end and an opposite pilot end and defining a working length adjacent said pilot end, with at least one cutting surface on the working length, a pilot end portion of the rod extending from an aperture in the arm adjacent the distal end of the arm of the holder, 
 a knob mounted to the rod adjacent the rod's proximal end to facilitate axial reciprocation and rotation of the rod by the dentist, 
 whereby the dentist can position the instrument so that the distal end of the arm and the pilot end portion of the rod are positioned within a patient's mouth, with the grip and the knob located outside the mouth, and so that the pilot end of the rod can be advanced into and out of a root canal by the dentist manipulating the knob at a location outside the mouth of the patient. 
 
     
     
       11. The endodontic instrument as defined in  claim 10  further comprising a camera attached to the holder so as to permit viewing of the pilot end of the shank displayed on an external video screen. 
     
     
       12. The endodontic instrument as defined in  claim 10  wherein the rod is mounted to the arm of the holder so as be free to be axially reciprocated relative to the arm and rotated about its axis. 
     
     
       13. The endodontic instrument as defined in  claim 10  wherein the rod comprises at least one helical cutting edge extending along the working length. 
     
     
       14. An endodontic instrument adapted for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth, and comprising
 a holder including a grip which is dimensioned to be gripped by a hand of a dentist, and an elongate arm which extends from a proximal end adjacent the grip to a distal end remote from the grip, with the arm having a length to permit the distal end of the arm to reach into a mouth of a patient while the grip remains outside the mouth, 
 an elongate rod having a proximal end and an opposite pilot end and defining a working length adjacent said pilot end, with at least one cutting surface on the working length, a pilot end portion of the rod extending from an aperture in the arm adjacent the distal end of the arm of the holder, 
 whereby the dentist can position the instrument so that the distal end of the arm and the pilot end portion of the rod are positioned within a patient's mouth, with the grip located outside the mouth, and so that the pilot end of the rod can be advanced into and out of a root canal by the dentist manipulating the proximal end of the rod from a location outside the mouth of the patient. 
 
     
     
       15. The endodontic instrument as defined in  claim 14  wherein the rod is mounted to the arm of the holder so as be free to be axially reciprocated relative to the arm and rotated about its axis. 
     
     
       16. The endodontic instrument as defined in  claim 14  wherein the rod is mounted to the arm of the holder. 
     
     
       17. The endodontic instrument as defined in  claim 14  further comprising a camera attached to the holder so as to permit viewing of the pilot end of the shank displayed on an external video screen.